NEW DELHI: In a significant decision meant to ensure safer public transport, Supreme Court on Wednesday made it mandatory for all public service vehicles (buses, taxis and tourist coaches) to install Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and alarm buttons.A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan directed states and UTs to ensure that such vehicles are not granted a fitness certificate under Section 56 or a permit under Section 66 of Motor Vehicles Act unless installation of these devices is verified and reflected in the Vahan application.Rule 125H of Central Motor Vehicles Rules mandates installation of VLTDs and emergency buttons in public vehicles for live-tracking and timely emergency responses, ensuring passenger safety, particularly for women, children and the elderly.The court passed the order on mandatory compliance with the Rule after it was told that only 1% of vehicles have installed the devices in the last seven years since the rule was notified. The court said it is very disturbing that the rules are not being followed.The bench also asked additional solicitor general Vikramjit Banerjee, representing Centre, to explore possibility of installing these devices at the time of manufacturing of vehicles. It asked Centre to hold a meeting with automobile manufacturers and make a final decision in this regard. It also directed states to ensure compliance with Rule 118 for installing speed-limiting devices.Given low compliance with rule regarding VLTDs, road transport ministry has made installation and functioning of location-tracking devices mandatory for registration and renewal of registration of public service vehicles from April 1. National permits of trucks are renewed only when installation of VLTD is reflected on Vahan portal.Meanwhile, 27 states and UTs have set up monitoring centres to track such vehicles, and Centre will soon set up a mechanism for monitoring at national level.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over LeakPosters Against Rahul Gandhi Surface As KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner For Kerala CM123PhotostoriesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list5 deadliest insects on the planet: Small creatures with a massive global impactThe silent vitamin deficiency experts say could increase your cancer risk over timeCommon snakes found in Florida and how to keep them away from home and garden123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav
NEW DELHI: In a significant decision meant to ensure safer public transport, Supreme Court on Wednesday made it mandatory for all public service vehicles (buses, taxis and tourist coaches) to install Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and alarm buttons.A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan directed states and UTs to ensure that such vehicles are not granted a fitness certificate under Section 56 or a permit under Section 66 of Motor Vehicles Act unless installation of these devices is verified and reflected in the Vahan application.Rule 125H of Central Motor Vehicles Rules mandates installation of VLTDs and emergency buttons in public vehicles for live-tracking and timely emergency responses, ensuring passenger safety, particularly for women, children and the elderly.The court passed the order on mandatory compliance with the Rule after it was told that only 1% of vehicles have installed the devices in the last seven years since the rule was notified. The court said it is very disturbing that the rules are not being followed.The bench also asked additional solicitor general Vikramjit Banerjee, representing Centre, to explore possibility of installing these devices at the time of manufacturing of vehicles. It asked Centre to hold a meeting with automobile manufacturers and make a final decision in this regard. It also directed states to ensure compliance with Rule 118 for installing speed-limiting devices.Given low compliance with rule regarding VLTDs, road transport ministry has made installation and functioning of location-tracking devices mandatory for registration and renewal of registration of public service vehicles from April 1. National permits of trucks are renewed only when installation of VLTD is reflected on Vahan portal.Meanwhile, 27 states and UTs have set up monitoring centres to track such vehicles, and Centre will soon set up a mechanism for monitoring at national level.
